Adjustable stilt.



L'. P. BRA'MHALL.

ADJUSTABLE STILT.

APPLIOATION FILED 1130.12, 1911.

1,033,323.I Patented July 9, 1912.

CULUMBIA PLANOURAPM w., WASHINGTON. D. c.

TlFITTED STATE@ PATENT rmcn.

LOUIS l. BRAMHALL, OF CAMDEN, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO THE WALKHI STILT MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, MAINE.

ADJUSTABLE STIL'I.

Application filed December 12, 1911.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that l, LOUIS P. BRAMHALL, citizen of the United States, residing at Camden, in the county of Knox and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Adjustable Stilts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to amusement devices, and more particularly to an adjustable stilt.

A main object of the invention is the provision of a stilt of simple construction, the step of which is adjustable to various heights, said step being formed preferably of two members, one of which is adapted to encircle the upright of the stilt and be wedged into engagement therewith by the other member, which latter constitutes a support for the foot.

A further object of the invention is to produce a device of this kind, the construction of which is such as to insure ease and cheapness in its manufacture, and durability, strength and efficiency in use.

Further objects and advantages will ap.- pear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and accom-y panying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of the improved stilts in use; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the various parts of the device; Fig. 3 is a vertical section, showing the construction of the step; Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line L14L of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the step.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

The stilt comprises an upright 1, preferably formed of a straight grained piece ofA wood, rectangular in cross section and hat# ing the lower end 2 thereof tapered and adapted to bite into the surface of the ground to prevent slipping. The upper portion 3 of the upright is preferably tapered and rounded to permit a smooth bearing surface, and has a transverse aperture l1 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July9, 1912.

serial No. 665,258.

through which a fastening device, preferably in the form of a strap or cord 5, is passed to secure the stilt to the leg of the operator.` ln case the upper end were eX- tended, the portion 3 would of course constitute a hand-grip.

The step of the device is adjustable and embodies two members, one a sliding collar 6 adapted to encircle and frictionally engage the upright 1, the other member a foot support 7 designed to engage the collar 6 and secure the latter in adjusted position on the upright. The sliding collar 6 is preferably constructed of a single piece of sheet metal which conforms closely to the shape of the upright and encircles the latter on three sides. On the fourth side the ends of the collar extend beyond the upright and are bent inwardly and back upon themselves to produce flanges 6a defining downwardly tapered retaining sockets 8.

The foot support 7 is angular in shape, the depending portion 9 thereof being. formed with laterally extending, parallel flanges 10, downwardly tapered and adapted to fit into the sockets 8 and wedge the collar 6 into close engagement with the upright 1. The inner face 1l of the portion Q'engages the upright and aids in securing the step in adjusted position The portion 12 of the support 7 constitutes the step proper and has a flat upper surface 13 strengthened by the depending flanges 10a which are a continuation of the flanges 10. The outer end 14 of the portion 12 is slightly upturned to prevent the foot from slipping olf the step and is provided with a transverse slot 15 through which is passed a strap 16 or the like, the other end of the strap being secured to the upright to aid in maintaining the foot in engagement with the step.

If desired, the step may be formed o-f wood, as in' Fig. 5, in which case the wedge members would be formed separately and secured thereto. j

In Fig. 5 the numeral 7EL designates the step and 10al a plate attached to the rear face of the step and bent around with its margins parallel to the step to form the wedging members 13a.

ln using the device, the collar 6 is adjusted to the desired height on the upright and thereafter the step 7 is placed in position on the collar so that t-he wedging flanges 10 enter the sockets 8 and draw the collar into close contact with the upright. The inner face l1 of the portion 9 is wedged firmly against the upright and the parts are held secured in adjusted position. The weight of the foot upon the step further insures the engagement of the parts and readjustment can be made only by loosening the step and changing the position of the collar.

Having thus specifically described and set forth the merits of this invention, it is hereby claimed:

l. A stilt, embodying an upright, an adjustable collar mounted thereon and having its ends bent toward each other to produce flanges adapted to receive a wedging member n between them and the face of the stilt, and

an angular step provided with a depending member adapted to bear against the face of ythe upright, said depending member being wedge shaped in form and tapered downwardly to fit between said flanges on the collar and the face of the upright.

2. A stilt embodying an upright, an adjustable collar mounted thereon and having its ends bent inwardly and backupon themselves to produce fianges defining wedge receiving sockets, and an angular step having the outer end thereof upturned, said step being provided with reinforcing fianges depending therefrom and further provided with a depending member adapted to bear against the upright, the depending flanges of the step being continued throughout the length of the member and tapered downwardly to form wedges adaptedV to fit into the wedge receiving sockets and maintain the parts in adjusted position.

8. A step for stilts including co-acting members, one of which is formed of a single piece of metal bent upon itself to form spaced arms, each of said arms being bent inwardly and back upon itself to produce fianges defining downwardly tapered retaining` sockets, the other member having a fiat surface constituting a step and provided with depending wedge-shaped members adapted to fit into the sockets of the other member.

4. A step for stilts, including co-acting members, one of which is formed by a strip of metal bent to form spaced arms, each of said arms at its extremity being bent t0- ward the other arm to produce marginal flanges, said fianges extending downward and toward the back of said member, the other member having a fiat surface constitut-ing a step and being provided with a depending wedge-shaped portion adapted to fit into theE space between the arms of the firstname/d member and behind the flanges thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

C. C. DILLINGHAM, GEO. H, TALBOT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents cach, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. C. 

